Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Atoll of Funafuti, Ellice group : its zoology, botany, ethnology and general structure based on collections made by Charles Hedley of the Australian Museum, Sydney, N.S.W.

Order Madreporaria Aporosa

Order Madreporaria Aporosa.

Family Turbinolidæ.
Caryophyllia clavus, var. Epithecata, Duncan.

Caryophyllia clavus, var. epithecata, Duncan, Trans. Zool. Soc, viii., p. 311, pl. xlviii., figs. 13-16.

A small immature example in the collection is referable to this variety.

The corallum is erect, elongate, conico-turbinate, incrusting at the base and elliptic in outline at the summit.

The epitheca is finely granulate and extends from the base to the calicular margin.

The costæ are slightly prominent above, and cease at the median constriction below.

The septa are strongly exserted, radiately granulose at the sides and evenly rounded at the summits.

The pali are sinuate and sparsely spinose.

The columella consists of two spirally twisted processes.

There are forty septa and ten pali. The latter are opposite the tertiaries.

Height of corallum 14 mm.

Diameter at apex 7 by 9 mm.
Diameter at base 7 mm.
Diameter at pedicel 3 mm.

Obtained in from forty to seventy fathoms.

Family Oculinidæ.
Stylophora digitata, Pallas.

Stylophora digitata (Pallas), Klunzinger, Die Korall. Rothen. Meeres, p. 61, pl. v., fig. 5; pl viii., fig. 1.

There are eight examples of this species, exhibiting considerable variation.

In the young the branches are subcylindrical, transversely nodose, and somewhat conical at the extremities. The larger page 352specimens are mostly round symmetrical clumps, with compressed branches and obtusely rounded summits.

Common in the shallow waters of the lagoon.

Family Pocilloporidæ.

Pocillopora cæspitosa, Dana.

Pocillopora cæspitosa, Dana, Zoophytes, U.S. Explor. Exped, p. 525, pl. xlix., fig. 5.

Three specimens of this common form are in the collection. It was the most abundant coral in the lagoon. The colour was pale rose when alive. Native name "Kamu."

Pocillopora grandis, Dana.

Pocillopora grandis, Dana, Zoophytes, U.S. Explor. Exped., p. 533, pl. li., fig. 2.

Five examples; the largest is subflabellate, the branches being from 9 to 17 cm. thick, Bright emerald green when alive.

Uncommon in the lagoon.

Pocillopora verrucosa, Ellis & Solander.

Pocillopora verrucosa, Ellis & Solander, Nat. Hist. Zoophytes, p. 172.

Four specimens.

Frequent in the lagoon and on the ocean shore.

Family Astræidæ.

Mussa costata, Dana.

Mussa costata, Dana, Zoophytes, U.S. Explor. Exped., p. 179, pl. vii, fig. 2.

Three water-worn fragments which may possibly belong to this species.

Cœloria esperi, Edwards & Haime.

Cœloria esperi, Edwards & Haime, Hist. Nat. Corall., ii., p. 417.

Seven examples of this species are in the collection.

Common in the lagoon, and on the outer reefs.

Hydnophora microconia, Lam.

Hydnophora microconia, Lam., Hist. Anim. sans Vert., ii., 1816, p. 251.

Three specimens obtained on the lagoon reefs.

Astræa versipora, Dana.

Astrœa versipora, Dana, Zoophytes, U.S. Explor. Exped., p. 233, pl. xii., fig. 5.

Four large specimens.

page 353

Very common at low water in the lagoon and on the outer reefs.

Astræa danæ, Edwards & Haime.

Favia dance, Edwards & Haime, Hist. Nat, Corall., ii., p. 442.

Astrœa porcata, Dana, Zoophytes, U.S. Explor. Exped., p. 226, pl. xi., fig. 5.

One specimen.

Common in the lagoons and on the outer reefs.

Astræa Denticulata, Ellis & Solander.

Madrepora denticulata, Ellis & Solander, Nat. Hist. Zoophytes, p. 166, pl. xlix., fig. 1.

Four specimens.

Abundant on the reefs.

Acanthastræa Patula, Dana.

Acanthastrœa patula, Dana, Zoophytes, U.S. Explor. Exped., p. 209, pl. x., fig. 14.

One small example.

The calicles are subcircular, oblong, or polygonal and very unequal in the size of the fossa, and also in the relative thickness of the walls. The former measure from 5 to 10 mm. in diameter, the latter from 2 to 6 mm. in thickness. The septa vary in number from twelve to thirty-six.

The columella consists of a series of compressed denticles, frequently more or less connected.

Among loose stones on the lee side of the atoll.

Acanthastræa echinata, Dana.

Acanthastrœa echinata, Dana, Zoophytes, U.S. Explor. Exped., p. 229, pl. xii., fig. 1.

A single specimen in spirit is in the collection.

The larger calicles are about 9 mm. in diameter. The third cycle of septa is incomplete. The septal spines are from 2 to 3·5 mm. in height.

Colour dark blackish brown.

Occurring with the preceding.

Leptastræa solida, Edwards & Haime.

Leptastrœa solida, Edwards & Haime, Hist. Nat. Corall., ii., p. 512, pl. d 8, fig. 2.

Four specimens of this species were obtained. All are incrusting and assume the shape of the object they have invested, forming irregular nodular masses without any points of attachment.

Occurring among loose stones on the lee side of the reef.

page 354
Leptastræa Transversa, Klunzinger.

Leptastrœa transversa, Klunzinger, Die Korall. Rothen. Meeres, iii., 46, pl. vi., fig. 2.

Three examples.

Incrusting, forming irregular convex plates on dead coral.

Cyphastræa Danæ, Edwards & Haime.

Cyphastrœa danæ, Edwards & Haime, Hist. Nat. Corall., ii., p. 487.

Astrœa microphthalma, Dana, Zoophytes, U.S. Explor. Exped., p. 217, pl. x., fig. 11.

One small example, consisting of a thin incrusting living layer growing on a dead crust of the same species, which completely invests some foreign object.

In the central region of the corallum the calicles are contiguous, the walls being frequently in contact with each other; near the margin they are separated by narrow spaces about half their own diameter.

The calicles are from 1·5 to 2 mm. in diameter, they are prominent, and have the walls and septa exserted.

The costæ and intercalicine spaces are finely echinulate. The echinulæ are from 0·15 to 0·2 mm. apart.

The columella is small, and consists of from three to six sub-spiniform granules.

Obtained in the passage between the islets of the reef.